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Please direct all media inquiries to:
Sally Schulze, Communications Manager
sschulze@refugeeone.org

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Thousands of Immigrants in Illinois Set to Lose Medicaid Coverage

Changes to Medicaid eligibility take effect October 1, impacting about 9,300 lawfully present immigrants in Illinois. Refugees, survivors of human trafficking and people who have been granted asylum are among those no longer covered. | WTTW

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Refugees With Disabilities Lose an Important Lifeline. Here’s What Illinois Advocates Are Doing to Help.

Illinois refugees lose Medicaid access in October as part of federal funding cuts. It’s the latest in a series of federal cuts impacting refugees with disabilities, including reductions to Refugee Medical Assistance and SNAP. | Borderless Magazine

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An Afghan man spent 13 years waiting for the US to keep its word. He still cherishes his American dream.

Abdulhaq Sodais is an Afghan immigrant and ex-interpreter for the United States military who, after 13 years of trying to gain entry to the U.S., is starting a new life in the Chicago suburbs. | Chicago Tribune

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2025

He risked his life for American soldiers in Afghanistan. Would America let him in? Los Angeles Times December 23, 2025
Chicagoans react to Trump decision to drastically reduce U.S. refugee admissions, prioritize white South Africans
 WBEZ November 4, 2025
Chicago Nonprofit Holds Winter Coat & Boot Drive Fox 32 Chicago September 17, 2025
The “Refugee Pipeline”Has Been Abandoned The Nation September 8, 2025
Syrian-born Refugee Chases Her Dream of Becoming a Doctor in Chicago Borderless Magazine September 4, 2025
Living and Working In America: The new reality for refugees and asylum seekers WBEZ Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons July 31, 2025
Immigrant Rights Leaders, Chicago Refugees Call for Action on World Refugee Day Borderless Magazine June 30, 2025
What to Know About Trump’s New Travel Ban Borderless Magazine June 11, 2025
RefugeeOne meets challenges to cuts of funding, services with help from synod Metro Word Spring 2025
Catholic bishops end refugee aid partnerships with US government, citing funding cuts
ABC7 April 8, 2025
Chicago’s Ukrainian Community Looks for Hope Amid Ongoing War: ‘I Just Want Ukraine to Be Peaceful Again’ Borderless Magazine April 1, 2025
Rohingya Refugees’ Dreams of Family Reunification Shattered With Trump’s Resettlement Freeze Borderless Magazine
March 18, 2025
Rwanda Refugee Guides Newcomers Starting New Lives in Chicago: ‘I’m in the Right Place’ Borderless Magazine
February 11, 2025
Refugees in Chicago face family separation after Trump halts resettlement program Chicago Sun-Times
February 7, 2025
Business concerns grow as Trump halts new refugee admissions The Associated Press
January 31, 2025
What Trump’s immigration moves mean for migrants, asylum seekers and refugees in Chicago WBEZ January 21, 2025

Media Archive: 2023

,The Year Mahbuba Found Her Voice WBEZ December, 11, 2023
‘I can’t do a lot of things, but I can do this’: How one Chicagoan is stepping up for migrant children with disabilities Chicago Tribune, November, 26, 2023
Descendant of Holocaust survivors forms friendship with Muslim refugee and shows ‘what’s possible in the world’ Chicago Tribune, November 23, 2023
Eli’s Chicago cheesecake creates a winning recipe for refugee inclusion UNHCR, November 9,2023
Assisting the Home Team with the Harlem Globetrotters Harlem Globetrotters: Play it Forward, Season 2 Episode 4, October 28, 2023
​Black Immigrants Today: Tsegay Gebreyohanes Borderless Magazine, November 6, 2023

In Chicago, nurses gather to support refugees and migrant families ​Fox32, October, 13, 2023
Gov. JB Pritzker Announces Expansion Of Eli’s Cheesecake’s Chicago Factory Forbes Breaking News, October 10, 2023
​Affy Tapple celebrates 75 years as Chicago’s iconic autumn treat Chicago Sun-Times, October 9, 2023
​Ukrainian refugees who fled war eagerly attend Norridge employment fair: ‘I want a job’ Chicago Tribune, June 19, 2023
​Nurses Group Launches Campaign to Help Refugees Crain’s Business, October 13, 2023
Compass One Healthcare Launches Third Annual Socktober Campaign with New Partners and Expanded Reach Business Wire, October 2, 2023
​Black Immigrants Today: Jean Chrisbene Justin Borderless Magazine, June 16, 2023
St. James Lutheran Church helped Mapenzi become a citizen Lake County Gazette, May 1, 2023​
One year after Russia invaded their homeland, family from Ukraine reunited in Chicago CBS News Chicago, February 1, 2023
Former refugees speak in Glencoe to the need for inclusivity, compassion Chicago Tribune – Glencoe News, February 28, 2023
Ukraine refugees in NYC describe harrowing escape from war — and how they want to go home New York Post, February 24, 2023
​They counted the days until they could return to Ukraine. Now, they’re not sure they’ll go back. USA Today, February 20, 2023
​Temple Har Zion hosts Refugee Shabbat Wednesday Journal of Oak Park and River Forest,  February 8, 2023
Welcoming others, as they were welcomed Jewish United Fund, January, 2023
Kenilworth Union Church Awards Grants to 3 Chicagoland Nonprofits BETTER, January 2023
​Blinken: 2 years into Biden term, US ‘in a better place’ ​AP NEWS, January, 2023

 

Media Archive: 2022

Ukrainian families spend first Christmas, new year resettled in Illinois ​Shaw Local News Network, December 23, 2022
​Forensic Medical Evaluators for Asylum Seekers Need More Support South Side Weekly, December, 2023
​​Afghan refugees hoping for easier pathway to permanent residency ABC7, December 20, 2022
Home Visiting For Refugee Families: Flourishing in New Places National Home Visitor Resource Center, November, 2022
​Her family survived the Holocaust. Now she’s helping a Muslim refugee family start anew in Chicago, including hosting their first Thanksgiving.​ Chicago Tribune, November, 2022
Afghan refugees in Chicago urge Congress to provide long-term immigration protections Chicago Sun-Times, October 2022
Ukrainian Refugees Living in Chicago Suburbs Tell Story of Survival 8 Months Into War NBC5, October, 2022
RefugeeOne Opens New Headquarters In West Ridge As Agency Nearly Doubles To Address Refugee Crisis Block Club Chicago, September, 2022
She escaped the Taliban. A year later, her fate — like thousands of Afghans — is in limbo. WBEZ, September, 2022
RefugeeOne moves to new headquarters, doubles capacity WBEZ, September 2022
One year after the US withdrew from Afghanistan, refugees find support from all corners of Chicago​ ​Chicago Tribune, August , 2022
Ukrainian mother recounts the horrors of war as she and her son start a new life in Chicago suburbs. For them ‘there is no place to go back to.’ ​Chicago Tribune, August 6, 2022
Afghan Adjustment Act could help refugees trying to resettle in the U.S. WBEZ Podcast, August 2022
A wave of Afghan teens arrived suddenly — and changed everything at a Chicago high school WBEZ, May 2022
RefugeeOne’s dental clinic takes a different approach to community dental care Illinois Dental News, May 2022
Chicago’s Welcome of Ukrainian Refugees May Come With Challenges South Side Weekly, April, 2022
How Chicago aid groups are prepping for thousands of Ukrainian refugees Crain’s Chicago Business, March, 2022
Partners in Sponsorship: Local Churches Link Up for Community Sponsorship HomeTown Podcast, March, 2022
Local church members help resettle Syrian refugees Riverside – Brookfield Landmark, ​March, 2022
Afghan refugee DePaul students settle into English classes University and community groups support new refugees from Afghanistan The Depaulia, March, 2022
Chicago area welcoming another wave of Afghan refugees:‘Overnight their lives were just uprooted’ Chicago Tribune, February, 2022
As another wave of Afghans arrives in Chicago, volunteers say more help is needed Chicago Sun-Times, February, 2022
Refugees Drive West Ridge’s Growing Asian Population Chicago Sun-Times, January, 2022

Media Archive: 2021

An Afghan “refugee kid” is welcoming young people just like her to Chicago WBEZ, December 22, 2021
Columbia alum helps refugees with living necessities The Columbia Chronicle November 19, 2021
DePaul is resettling ten Afghan refugees The DePaulia, November 8, 2021
DePaul students provide hope, mentorship to Chicago’s growing refugee communities The DePaulia, November 1, 2021 
Afghan interpreter, reunited with family stranded in Afghanistan, pleads for US to evacuate extended family Chicago Tribune, September 3, 2021
Illinois lawmakers pledge to welcome, support hundreds of Afghan refugees WGN9, September 1, 2021
‘These people will arrive with trauma.’How Chicago groups are helping to welcome
Afghan refugees
 Chicago Tribune, August 31, 2021
Number of expected Afghan refugees resettling in Chicago increases Chicago Sun-Times, August 30, 2021
As people flee Afghanistan, resettlement agencies in Chicago prepare for more refugees Chicago Sun-Times, August 28, 2021
Chicago Agencies Prepare To Welcome Afghan Refugees ‘Within Weeks’ Chicago NBC5, August 25, 2021
Editorial Roundup: Illinois U.S. News, August 24, 2021
As Afghan Families Flee Taliban Rule, Chicago Agencies Mobilize To Help Them Settle Here:
​‘We Want To Do What’s Right’
 Block Club Chicago, 
August 20, 2021
‘The Situation Is Really Tragic’: The Crisis In Afghanistan Will Lead Some Refugees To Chicago CBS2 Chicago, August 17, 2021
Refugee Agencies Scramble to Bring Afghan Allies to US WTTW, August 17, 2021
‘Where Will They Go?’: Afghans Fleeing The Taliban Could Find Refuge In Chicago WBEZ, August 17, 2021
​Chicago resettlement organization helps refugee families get COVID vaccinations Chicago Tribune, June 24, 2021
Refugee Family Reunites After Years Apart: ‘God Has Done a Miracle’ Newsy, May 27, 2021
Refugee family from Congo reunites in Chicago after 5 years apart ABC7, May 26, 2021
Ten Years On, Syrian Refugees in US Express Loss, Hope Voice of America (VOA), March 15, 2021
Syrian Refugees in U.S. Reflect on Past and Present Fortunes Voice of America (VOA), March 14, 2021

Media Archive: 2020

Resettlement, reunification and romance: Refugees make a new life in Chicago
despite the pandemic
 Chicago Sun-Times, December 25, 2020
Refugee Couple Spends First Christmas In Chicago After Years Apart NBC5, December 24, 2020
For Immigrants and Advocates in Chicago, ‘Work is Only Beginning’ as They Await
New Biden Administration
 Chicago Sun-Times, November 17, 2020
Teen helps refugee kids find community on the soccer field, WGN-TV, October 26, 2020​
Chicago Teen Starts Soccer Camp for Young Refugees NBC5, October 16, 2020
With Gentrification on the Rise, RefugeeOne Leaves Uptown After 35 Years, Block Club Chicago, August 28, 2020
Schools Provide Stability For Refugees. COVID-19 Upended That. ​HuffPost, June 27, 2020
​From African to African American: How brush with police changed Congolese refugee’s life — and his camera’s focus. Chicago Sun-Times, June 22, 2020
Chicago Refugee Group Making Masks For Those In Need — Here’s How You Can Help Block Club Chicago, May 12, 2020
Mask sewing project among Chicago refugee groups leads to new career goal: ‘This is my job’ Chicago Tribune, May 6, 2020
Refugees try to make new start in Chicago as COVID-19 upends daily life: ‘Once we get back to the normal life, we want to walk freely’, Chicago Tribune, April 27, 2020
Dozens of refugee women make, donate masks during coronavirus pandemic WGN, April 24, 2020
Refugee family reunites at O’Hare after 3 years apart WGN-TV, March 4, 2020
Hyde Park Refugee Project Helping Another Family Resettle on the South Side This Spring Block Club Chicago, January 3, 2020

Media Archive: 2017

Adjusting to New Lives, Chicago’s Rohingya Look to Aid Those Still in Myanmar NBC News, October 11, 2017
​Heartbreaking Refugee Stories Inspire Syrian Charity Dinner at Avec DNAInfo, October 9, 2017
Displaced by Fire, Syrian Refugee Family Receives Aid ChicagoTribune’s Evanston Review, September 20, 2017
​Welcome to Refugee High Chicago Reader, June 7, 2017
Refugees Escape Violence and War, but Anguish Remains Chicago Tribune, May 9, 2017
​Syrian Refugee Family Finding Its Way in Chicago Chicago Tribune, April 17, 2017
That’s So South Asian: 30 Years of Channeling Diversity The Chicago Maroon, April 3, 2017
As Resettlement Agencies Face Uncertainty, Donors Rally for Syrian Family Chicagoist, March 8, 2017
Chicago Synagogues Still Waiting to Help Refugees Trump Left in Limbo The Forward, February 16, 2017
So You Want to Help a Refugee Family Daily KOS, February 12, 2017
Elgin Church Gets First-Hand Look at Refugee Experience Chicago Tribune’s Elgin Courier News, February 11, 2017
Syrian Refugee Family Arrives in Chicago After Travel Ban Delay ABC 7, February 8, 2017
Syrian Family Arrives in Chicago After Long Wait Wall Street Journal, February 7, 2017
Syrian Refugee Family Arrives at O’Hare Amid Immigration Ban Lift CBS 2, February 7, 2017
Syrian Refugees Arrive in Chicago WTTW Chicago Tonight, February 7, 2017
Syrian Refugee Family Arrives in Chicago to Cheers as Court Weighs Controversial Ban Chicago Tribune, February 7, 2017
​Syrian Refugees Due to Reunite with Family at O’Hare as Court Considers Ban Chicagoist, February 7, 2017
Last Refugees to Arrive at O’Hare as 120-Day Ban Takes Hold Chicago Tribune, February 3, 2017
Refugee Ban Separates Families in Chicago Area, Unites Aid Groups Patch, February 1, 2017
Want to Help Refugees? ‘Don’t Just Stay Angry’ Volunteer, Donate, Hire DNA Info, February 1, 2017
Refugees, Agencies Relay Impact of New Immigration Restrictions Chicago Tribune’s Skokie Review, February 1, 2017
A Syrian Family Who Fled Aleppo Was Unable to Come to Chicago Due to Trump’s Ban Teen Vogue, January 31, 2017
Illinois’ Synagogue that Sponsored Some of Last Syrian Refugees Before Ban Fights On Chicagoist, January 31, 2017
Trump’s Travel Ban Delays Refugee Sisters from Congo CBS 2, January 31, 2017
Syrian Family Set to Arrive in Chicago ‘in Limbo’ After Trump Travel Ban NBC Chicago, January 31, 2017
Faith Communities Search for Tools of Resistance WBEZ Chicago, January 30, 2017
Chicago Refugee Support Groups Denounce President Trump’s Travel Ban ABC 7, January 31, 2017
Warm Welcome for Syrians in a Country About to Ban Them The New York Times, January 28, 2017​
Refugees Resettled In Chicago Help Make Its Most Famous Cheesecake NPR Morning Edition, January 3, 2017

Media Archive: 2016